2017-18 Arthur Irving Academy Research Grants in Environmental Science recipients
The Arthur Irving Academy Research Grants in Environmental Science are annual funding awards for Acadia researchers/research teams promoting the use of the K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre and/or the Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens through the development and execution of research projects in support of the environment.
In 2017-18, the following research projects were each awarded funding through this distinguished research grants program:
Dr. Glenys Gibson, Department of Biology, Acadia University, received $40k over two years for her research project “The Dynamics of Recruitment: Use of Mesocosms to Study Recruitment of Benthic Invertebrates in the Minas Basin Tidal Flats.” Dr. Gibson is a developmental biologist with a special interest in polychaetes, small animals that are abundant in Nova Scotia’s Minas Basin. This project will investigate the importance of planktonic larvae and benthic adults in shaping the renewal of local populations of invertebrates that are essential food sources for regionally important fish species, and specifically, how recruitment occurs into an existing, functionally complex community.
Dr. Rodger Evans, Department of Biology, Acadia University, along with his co-applicants Dr. Allison Walker and Dr. Kirk Hillier (also from the Department of Biology), received $40k over two years for their research project “Towards an Understanding of Crocanthemum canadense (Rockrose) Biology: A Comparative Analysis of Biotic Challenges and Symbioses Across the Northeastern Range.” Dr. Evans’ research seeks to understand the biology of an endangered, native Nova Scotian plant, Rockrose. The goal of this project is to investigate how pollinators and parasites affect seed production and seed set as a measure of future survivability. Dr. Evans and his collaborators will also investigate the symbiotic relationships between Rockrose and microscopic fungi. This holistic approach aims to produce a complete overview of the biology of Rockrose, with the ultimate goal of providing effective insight into requirements for its conservation.
Congratulations to the 2017-18 recipients! Learn about past recipients here.